After a strong 2-0 start to the season, the Catalina Foothills Falcons football program looked like they were shaking off last year’s disappointing 2–8 record.
But the Falcons, under returning head coach Daniel Sainz, have faced recent struggles, losing their last two games including a devastating 35-0 loss to Pusch Ridge on Sept. 11.
“We lost to a top program in 3A. That taught us a lot about where we are,” Sainz said. “We can compete with the best, but we have a lot of mistakes to clean up.”
“It’s hard to win when you have three turnovers,” Sainz said. “We have to capitalize when we get opportunities.”
The Falcons opened the season with a stunning 21-17 upset over Ironwood Ridge. The next week they took down North Canyon High out of Phoenix 45-6.
The back-to-back wins fueled fan and team optimism.
Then came the back-to-back road losses.
“We just played No. 1 in 3A and […]. No.1 in 4A,” Sainz said. “We had chances to make it a great game, but didn’t execute. That’s what we have to fix if we want to win big games.”
Turnovers and missed chances in the red zone were the difference. Cat-Foot had four drives inside the 20 but came away with no points.
Despite the setbacks, Sainz and his staff are optimistic the team will come out with a winning season.
Sainz is back on the sideline for the Falco
ns after stepping away last year for his Arizona Air National Guard obligation. He said the time off gave him perspective and new ideas for shaping the program.
“I watched another program closely and learned what I’d change if I came back,” he said. “It helped me grow, and I think it’s paying off.”
Assistant coach Eric Dupree credited the offseason for setting the tone. Players spent the summer learning a new system, lifting and running.
“We had to build a new culture from the ground up,” Dupree said. “They worked really hard, and it showed in those first two wins.”
The players agree the atmosphere is different. Senior captain Matthew Seifert said the sting of last year has fueled the team’s focus.
“Last year was so sour,” Seifert said. “This year I’m putting my heart and soul into making the playoffs.”
For him, the win over Ironwood Ridge was proof the team has turned a corner.
“It just shows we can do it,” he said. “We can beat good teams.”
Senior Jack Cartwright said the home win set an important tone.
“Ironwood was supposed to be one of the harder games on our schedule,” he said. “Winning at home made a statement.”
He added that chemistry has improved thanks to new coaches and senior leadership. “We locked it down,” Cartwright said. “It finally feels like a complete puzzle.”
Even after the Pusch Ridge loss, Sainz says his team has not lost faith.
“Getting that confidence we can play with anybody, that’s the mission,” he said. “We have the talent to win games.”
The Falcons take on the Pueblo High Warriors on the road Sept. 26, followed by a home meeting with the Amphi High School Panthers Oct. 3.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.
